A Man Scorned

Women, specifically black women, are often labeled as bitter due to past relationships with men. It is a pretty obvious transition from the once optimistic and hopeful to the visage of resentment.

But men have feelings too. I think we, as women, forget that. Men are often socialized to not show emotion. This concept is hyper-emphasized in the black community, so much that a man showing feelings for anything less than a death is considered weak. It has stifled our relationships and our communities. However, the lack of a direct response to a hurtful statement or action doesn’t mean that it has not affected the man. The hurt may not even surface in that relationship; but just like women, over time, from one broken relationship to the next a man can eventually grow bitter as well.

The bitter man, I believe, is worse than the bitter woman because once a man reaches a state of bitterness; it is the point of no return. A woman can be loved out of her bitterness, but a man will not allow anyone to get close enough to receive such love. It is a sad sight to see. From that point, women are a constant source of agony and disdain. The once internal hurt surfaces in the form of hateful sentiments, scolding, and the general “women ain’t shit” mentality.

So the next time, you run into a man just angry at women for no apparent reason, remember he may be a man scorned.